\nGenentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company\u2019s supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA)<\/i> for Xolair\u00ae<\/sup> (omalizumab) for the add-on maintenance treatment of nasal polyps in adult patients 18 years of age and older with inadequate response to nasal corticosteroids. Nasal polyps can lead to a loss of smell and nasal congestion, and frequently co-occur with other respiratory conditions, such as allergies and asthma. With this approval, Xolair is now the first biologic for the treatment of nasal polyps that targets and blocks immunoglobulin E (IgE), a key driver of inflammation.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWith Xolair, we observed significantly reduced nasal polyps and congestion symptoms in adults who had nasal polyps in two pivotal Phase III studies,\u201d said Joseph Han, M.D., Chief of the Division of Rhinology and the Division of Allergy at Eastern Virginia Medical School and study investigator of the POLYP 1 and POLYP 2 trials. \u201cXolair provides a new option for treating these patients, who often have other respiratory and allergic conditions that may further worsen symptoms.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nThe FDA\u2019s approval is based on results from the Phase III POLYP 1 and POLYP 2 trials. Both trials showed that adult patients with nasal polyps who had an inadequate response to nasal corticosteroids and received Xolair had statistically significant greater improvement from baseline at Week 24 in Nasal Polyp Score (NPS) and weekly average Nasal Congestion Score (NCS) than patients who received placebo. The greater improvements in NPS and NCS in the Xolair group compared to the placebo group were observed as early as the first assessment at Week 4 in both studies. All patients received background nasal mometasone therapy during both the treatment period and a five-week run-in period. In POLYP 1 and POLYP 2, the mean change from baseline at Week 24 for Xolair compared to placebo were: NPS, -1.1 versus 0.1 (95% CI: -1.6, -0.7) and -0.9 versus -0.3 (95% CI: -1.1, -0.1); NCS, -0.9 versus -0.4 (95% CI: -0.8, -0.3) and -0.7 versus -0.2 (95% CI: -0.8, -0.2). POLYP 1 and POLYP 2 are the ninth and tenth Phase III trials for Xolair, respectively. Results from POLYP 1 and POLYP 2 were recently published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.<\/i><\/p>\n
\n\u201cWith today\u2019s approval, people living with nasal polyps now have a treatment option that targets IgE, an underlying driver of various allergic conditions,\u201d said Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. \u201cWe are committed to understanding the full potential of Xolair across the spectrum of allergic diseases and are excited to provide this important treatment for people living with nasal polyps.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nNo new or unexpected safety signals were identified in patients treated with Xolair, with over 95% of patients completing each safety arm of POLYP 1 and POLYP 2. The most common adverse reactions (\u22653% of patients) included headache, injection site reaction, arthralgia, upper abdominal pain and dizziness. The safety profile in POLYP 1 and POLYP 2 was consistent with the established safety profile for Xolair.\n<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAdults living with nasal polyps may not be able to breathe through their nose and smell normally, and currently have limited treatment options,\u201d said Tonya Winders, President and CEO, Allergy & Asthma Network. \u201cThe approval of Xolair is welcome news for the community, providing another option to treat patients and help alleviate their symptoms.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\nXolair is an injectable biologic medicine that is also FDA-approved for the treatment of moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma in people 6 years of age or older whose asthma symptoms are not controlled by inhaled corticosteroids, and for chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) in people 12 years of age and older who continue to have hives that are not controlled by H1 antihistamines. Approximately 460,000 patients have been treated in the U.S. with Xolair since its initial approval for allergic asthma in 2003. In the U.S., Genentech and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation work together to develop and co-promote Xolair.\n<\/p>\n
About Nasal Polyps<\/b><\/p>\n
\nNasal polyps is a commonly occurring and potentially debilitating condition in adults, impacting 13 million people in the U.S. Currently, there are limited treatment options available and many patients opt for nasal surgery or systemic steroids. However, polyps may regrow over time. Nasal polyps present as noncancerous lesions on the lining of the nasal sinuses or nasal cavity associated with irritation and inflammation, which can block normal airflow. Nasal polyps may co-occur with other respiratory conditions, such as allergies and asthma.\n<\/p>\n
About POLYP 1 and POLYP 2 <\/b><\/p>\n
\nPOLYP 1 and POLYP 2 are replicate Phase III pivotal studies designed to determine the efficacy and safety of Xolair compared with placebo in adult patients with nasal polyps who had an inadequate response to nasal corticosteroids. Both trials were randomized, multicenter, double-blind and placebo-controlled. POLYP 1 involved 138 patients, and POLYP 2 involved 127 patients. The co-primary outcomes for both trials were change from baseline to Week 24 in average daily Nasal Congestion Score and Nasal Polyp Score. Patients in the studies were administered either Xolair or placebo by subcutaneous injection every two to four weeks in addition to background nasal mometasone therapy during both the treatment period and a five-week run-in period.\n<\/p>\n
About Xolair<\/b><\/p>\n
\nIn the U.S., Xolair is the only approved antibody designed to target and block immunoglobulin E (IgE). By reducing free IgE, down-regulating high-affinity IgE receptors and limiting mast cell degranulation, Xolair minimizes the release of mediators throughout the allergic inflammatory cascade.\n<\/p>\n
Xolair U.S. Indications<\/b><\/p>\n
\nXOLAIR\u00ae<\/sup> (omalizumab) for subcutaneous use is an injectable prescription medicine used to treat:\n<\/p>\n \nXOLAIR is not used to treat other allergic conditions, other forms of hives, or sudden breathing problems.\n<\/p>\n Important Safety Information <\/b><\/p>\n What is the most important information patients should know about XOLAIR?<\/b><\/p>\n Severe allergic reaction.<\/b> A severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can happen when patients receive XOLAIR. The reaction can occur after the first dose, or after many doses. It may also occur right after a XOLAIR injection or days later. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition and can lead to death. Patients should go to the nearest emergency room right away if they have any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction:\n<\/p>\n \nA healthcare provider will monitor patients closely for symptoms of an allergic reaction while they are receiving XOLAIR and for a period of time after the injection. A healthcare provider should talk to patients about getting medical treatment if they have symptoms of an allergic reaction after leaving the healthcare provider\u2019s office or treatment center.\n<\/p>\n Patients should not receive XOLAIR if they<\/b> are allergic to omalizumab or any of the ingredients in XOLAIR.\n<\/p>\n Before receiving XOLAIR, patients should tell their healthcare provider about all of their medical conditions, including if they:<\/b><\/p>\n Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all the medicines they take, <\/b>including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.\n<\/p>\n How should patients receive XOLAIR?<\/b><\/p>\n What are the possible side effects of XOLAIR?<\/b><\/p>\n XOLAIR may cause serious side effects, including:<\/b><\/p>\n The most common side effects of XOLAIR:<\/b><\/p>\n \nThese are not all the possible side effects of XOLAIR. Patients should call their doctor for medical advice about side effects.\n<\/p>\n \nPatients may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov\/medwatch<\/a>. Patients may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555 or Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at (888) 669-6682.\n<\/p>\n Please see full Prescribing Information<\/a>, including Medication Guide for additional Important Safety Information.<\/b><\/p>\n About Genentech<\/b><\/p>\n \nFounded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http:\/\/www.gene.com<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20201201005918\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \nMedia Contact: \nAdvocacy Contact: \nInvestor Contacts: KEYWORDS:<\/b> California United States North America<\/p>\n INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Biotechnology General Health FDA Health Pharmaceutical<\/p>\n\n
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